Ceforanide kinetics in renal insufficiency.

Ceforanide (500 mg) was infused intravenously over 30 min into six normal subjects, 10 nondialysis patients with renal insufficiency, and six hemodialysis patients. Dialysis patients received two ceforanide infusions, one immediately before dialysis and another during an interdialysis period. Sequential plasma samples over 24 to 72 hr were assayed for ceforanide. Peak ceforanide levels (mean = 69 +/- 12 micrograms/ml) and volumes of distribution did not vary with creatinine clearance (Clcr, ml/min/1.73 m2) and both plasma clearance and renal clearance decreased linearly as Clcr decreased. Mean nonrenal clearance (4.6 +/- 1.8 ml/min/1.73 m2) did not vary with Clcr. Mean half-life was 3 hr in the normal subjects, increasing to approximately 25 hr in patients with severe renal insufficiency. Hemodialysis resulted in a removal of approximately 21% of the dose of ceforanide. Dosing recommendations for patients with renal insufficiency are provided.